In cooperation with Chicken System, Yellow Tools has released the free Independence Convertor application for Mac OS X (Universal Binary) and Windows XP. This free utility for registered Independence owners converts Akai S-1000/3000 CDs and SoundFonts into Independence format.

Chicken Systems also offers a special Translator Independence Edition for $49.95. This can convert practically every sample format into Independence compatible format.

All registered Translator PRO users can download a free update on the Chicken Systems website that includes the Independence format translation.

Tone2 has announced BiFilter2, a stereo filter module offering dual multi-mode filters with 47 filter types, 8 additional distortion types, FM, AM, waveshaping and lo-fi effects. A high precision display shows the frequency response of the filter in realtime.

Features:

* 47 filter types.
* 8 distortion types.
* FM, AM, Waveshaping, bit crushing, resampling, comb filtering, vocal filtering, equalizing, reverberation.
* High precision, real time frequency response display.
* Smooth and click-free knob movements.
* "High-end quality" filter algorithms, anti-aliasing, oversampling.
* True stereo architecture, works in all sample rates.
* Easy-to-use interface.
* 100 presets.
* MIDI and automation support.

BiFilter2 costs $49 / €39 and is already available as a VST effect plug-in for Windows... but Mac OS X VST and Audio Unit versions are expected soon !

Vestax has quietly unveiled the VCI-100, a new USB DJ controller. The VCI-100 has two special jog wheels that contain sensor and control technology utilized in their turntables. The VCI-100 also features a variable curve generator that controls the crossfader curve from the hardware with the track faders.

Main features :

- jog wheel "constructed with a high-resolution pulse sensor; touch sensor and acrylic platter mechanism". Have to actually try that out to know what that feels like. Jog wheels have built-in "sensor LED."
- hardware-adjustable crossfader controls
- USB MIDI connection, bus-powered
- 90 assignable parameters
- plug and play (class-compliant)
- Bundled with Traktor LE

No pricing or availablity has been announced. For more details see Vestax web site.

Audio Damage has just released Replicant, a delay-based effect in the "beat slicer/looper" vein with panning effect, programmable stuttering buffers and filter drops, and of course randomization features.

Replicant is available for Mac OSX (UB) in AU and VST formats at a retail price of $49. For more information, visit Audio Damage web site.

So far it's nothing more than a picture on a MySpace page, but this is the new thing from M-Audio. Concensus of opinion seems to think it's a dedicated controller for Ableton Live - with what looks like 10 clip launch buttons (maybe in four banks?) and it would make sense, as M-Audio own Ableton (and they're both part of the Avid empire, along with Digidesign/Pro Tools and Sibelius). Presumably we'll know everything on January 18th, when NAMM opens.